The Fleischers were way ahead of their time with this pre-Code fluff. The cartoon opens with a minute and a half of the Royal Samoans with hula-type dancer. Then we get a properly tan Betty as a Samoan or Hawaiin, as you like, in a grass skirt and flower lei that barely cover her body. Yes, the Samoans are rather incorrectly portrayed - but even Betty wound up looking like a dog at one point. Her rotoscoped dance is great. Great fun and very sexy for a cartoon.

This and many other of the Betty Boop cartoons listed here are not complete... the MPEG@ file size says 385MB but the file size in both the FTP and HTTP folders show the file as being 366MB which leaves the final minutes of the cartoon missing.

I know it's been a while, but it took you a year and a half to see my post, and it's taken me a year and a half to answer - sounds about right. I'd really love to get in touch with you and find out about my grandparents - and my uncle, your grandfather. Please get in touch with me if you ever read this. E-Mail: moana1atcomcastdotnet.

Betty Boop wearing only a lei for a top. Definitely a pre-Hayes code Betty cartoon. This plus the rotoscoped Samoan dancers, and Betty rotoscoped over a hula dancer, showing *lots* of leg and skin. These were the cartoons that drove the censors nuts. Great pre-Hayes code cartoon.

Hey my granfather is Fred, Jimmys younger brother. Just trying to locate some of Jimmys family. Hey post back if you read this. thanks.

crackin stuff

Betty in a grass skirt with a flower garland top... you can see why the censors weren't happy when you get tantalising glimpses of Betty's thighs and chest ... ooo-err ! I'm getting carried away by a cartoon chick!

But seriously, it was a bit racy for early 30s.

some people think this is kind of racist with the depictions of the samoans(looking like dogs) but you got to remeber that prety much everyone on the betty boop cartoons looks like dogs. anyway good cartoon and the rotoscope realy worked for this cartoon, but it lacked in plot.

This early Betty Boop features the Royal Samoans for some real island flavor, plus lots of racist depictions of island natives, again in a frustrating mix. Still, thereÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs the usual weirdness and anthropomorphic inanimate object, making this pretty fun to watch anyway. View it in the context of its time period and have fun. By the way, Betty Boop dances a hot hula.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: ****.

I have to give this cartoon 5 stars because my father-in-law, Lowellan LeDoux is in it as a member to the Royal Samoans.

He can be seen on the far right, first row playing the guitar. It is also his tenor voice that is used when Bimbo sings

Lowellan had a long show business career. He had his own radio program in Chicago for a number of years and played with Polynesian themed groups in Chicago, Miami, and New York.

The cartoon dancing scenes were rotoscoped. People were filmed dancing then the cartoonist traced over the film, frame by frame, to create the cartoon.

Thanks for archiving this odd piece of entertainment.

Fleischers were geniuses. but what were they smoking? usual craziness on display here, especially in the first half: I love the what happens to the boat on shore. Betty is now black, and cute, and boy can she dance.
Plus, samoan music is cool.